Estonia launches two-week manoeuvres with US, UK, France and Canada

On September 18, Estonia will begin Pikne (Lightning), a two-week international military exercise aimed at testing the rapid deployment of allied forces and joint responses to potential threats.

According to the Estonian Defence Forces, cited by Estonian media, the drills will be directed by the Estonian division and will involve troops from Estonia, Latvia, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Canada.

Colonel Janno Märka, who is overseeing the manoeuvres, said that allied forces will practise amphibious landings and parachute jumps, with the final stage featuring live-fire exercises at the Nurisipalu and Rutja training areas.

The main operations will be conducted across the western, northern, north-eastern and south-eastern regions of Estonia. A total of around 3,000 service members will take part, involving land, air and naval units. The exercise is described as defensive and training-focused, making use of simulation equipment such as blank ammunition.

Authorities have warned Estonian residents to expect increased military traffic on public roads during the exercise period, which could result in temporary delays.

The Lightning drills underscore NATO’s commitment to defending the region. In addition to the exercise, NATO maintains multinational battle groups in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Estonia hosts one of these battle groups, with forces from the United Kingdom, France and Iceland already deployed.

The launch of Pikne follows the start of large-scale armoured and air force manoeuvres in Poland on September 17. The exercises, codenamed Iron Gate, are taking place at the Orzysz training ground, about 100 kilometres from the strategically important Suwałki Corridor. Iron Gate forms part of the broader Iron Defender drills, the largest of their kind in Poland in 2025.

By Tamilla Hasanova